After Jack and Araneida made it back to the Black Goblin clan, they immediately headed towards the Citadel. Once inside, a Black Goblin dressed in servant attire rushed to them. “Supreme One, thank goodness you’ve arrived!” Jack stopped, turning his attention towards the panicked goblin. “Is everything alright?”

  “It is the Goblin Overlord, he has finished the ritual! He requests to meet with you!” As soon as the servant said this, little time was spent on discussion. Jack and Araneida followed the servant at a rapid pace to the room in which Sallow had locked himself in to perform the binding ritual. At the door was a small guard group gathered, with Sable standing outside, her arms crossed.

  As they approached, the small goblins gaze fell over onto them. “There you are, Tamer.”

  “Is he inside?”

  Sable nodded, resting her right arm onto her hip.

  “He’s finished. Currently, he is waiting for you.” Jack exhaled, before nodding and walking up to the door, placing his hand onto the door handle and gently pushing it open. The room was dim — with the only light present in it being a gentle candle light.

  Sallow was in the center, sitting cross legged.

  When he heard the door open, he looked behind him. Seeing Jack, he stood up. “My Lord, I have finished the binding ritual.” Jack nodded in response.

  “Well? How do you feel? What kind of skill did you acquire?” Jack crossed his arms, standing not too far away from Sallow, who kneeled before Jack. “I feel as healthy and strong as ever, my Lord. As for the skill that the Rune gifted me…”

  Jack narrowed his eyes on Sallow, opening his information window.

  [ FAMILIAR ]

  Sallow

  Grey Overlord [Goblin]

  Level: 95 (3)

  Rank: C

  Class: Striker

  Grade: Sovereign

  Bound Rune: Goblin Overlords Heart

  - Every goblin that comes in the presence of the Overlord Rune, shall recognise the runes owner as their master without being able to resist the owners commands.

  Skill List ?

  [ FAMILIAR ]

  “Let’s see what he was given.” Upon opening the skill list detailing Sallow's skills, Jack's eyes fell onto the peculiar skill that was located beneath Sallow's Race and Class skills. A new skill was there — one that was labeled as a ‘Runic’ Skill. It was pretty self explanatory what the difference between this skill and the others was through the name alone. Jack then selected the skill, opening an information window about it.

  [ SKILL ]

  Goblin Overlords Heart

  Rank: Runic

  Effects: These are commands that the wielder of the rune is able to execute to exert their power and control of the goblin kind.

  - Gate

  - Order

  - Communication

  [ SKILL ]

  “Well this is certainly interesting… It seems this skill has multiple different things it can do, on top of the runic effect that forces any Goblin to follow Sallow without question.” Jack scratched his chin gently while reading. He tried to view more information about each individual effect, however…

  [ ERROR ]

  Contents of the Effects may not be viewed.

  Insufficient authority.

  [ ERROR ]

  “So despite Sallow being one of my familiars, I cannot view the effects of his skills… Perhaps I have to grow stronger before I can do so?” Jack sighed, closing all the windows before extending his right hand out towards Sallow. “Come on, stand up.” He smiled.

  Sallow lifted his gaze up towards Jack, before laughing to himself under his breath and standing up. “My Lord, shall we now head on beyond the White Clan — further into the dungeon?” Sallow asked. Jack's smile slightly widened, before he turned his back towards Sallow and rested his arms onto his hips.

  Then, he threw a glance back at the Goblin over his shoulder. “We shall. Let's move on.” Jack's eyes shone light orange for a second. Sallow remained silent, before bowing towards him. “As you wish.”

  Araneidas gaze shot between Sallow and Jack for a few seconds, before the spider let out a heavy sigh, and seemingly mumbled something under her breath, before turning around — like a girl pouting.

  Later.

  At the White Goblin clans castle – the Gates of Depths.

  Jack brushed off his clothes, while also going through his bag, double checking whether he had taken everything he needed with him. Sallow was not too far away, speaking with the other four clan leaders, who were all kneeled before him, while Araneida was resting by the large gates, sleeping gently.

  Jack was approached by a Goblin dressed in a maid dress carrying a small sack with her. “Lord Tamer, the White King wished to give you this as well for your journey into the deeper parts of the dungeon.” The maid handed Jack the sack. Jack took the sack, opening it up and looking inside. There were some shards inside it — all of different colours. Some were red, some green, some blue.

  Jack reached inside, picking a blue shard out before examining it. “What are these?”

  “They’re deepsteel ore – A special type of deposit that can only be found within the deepest parts of this dungeon. As we understand, humans and other races outside the dungeon regard deepsteel as highly valuable, due to its ability to grant weapons or artifacts forged using it to amplify the magical power of individuals who wield said weapons or artifacts.” Jack's eyes widened in surprise for a second, before he placed the blue shard back inside the sack and closed it once more.

  “Are you certain you all wish to give me such valuable and rare minerals?”

  The servant chuckled and then bowed towards him. “It is no big deal to us. Deepsteel is not hard to acquire within the White Clan, as it is highly abundant down here.” The servant stated, before straightening her back. Jack seemed a bit hesitant for a second, however then exhaled and placed the sack inside his bag.

  “Thank you then.”

  “Of course. Stay safe while in the deeper parts of the dungeon, Lord Tamer.” The servant wished, before turning around and leaving Jack's side. The tamer watched her for a few moments, before exhaling and closing his bag, throwing it back on before heading towards Sallow and the others, who seemingly had finished what they were talking about.

  “Ready to depart?” Jack asked. Sallow nodded.

  “Indeed. We just finished discussing how the clans will function now.” Sallow replied, while the other leaders simply stood behind him. Jack exhaled, before looking towards Wan. “Can you open the gates for us?”

  Wan bowed towards Jack and Sallow. “Anything you request, is my command.”

  Wan led the others up to the gates, where upon noticing them, Araneida jumped up onto her feet, stretching out a bit, before skittering to Jack's side. Jack and Sallow stopped, while Wan moved in front of them, with the large gates behind him. Then, he placed his arms behind his back. “Remember, beyond these gates, the dungeon monsters get significantly stronger. There are no other intelligent races or clans beyond there — all there is a wasteland filled with danger at all times. I highly advise you to be careful as you travel as well as to avoid the gates to the higher floors of the labyrinth, as the guardian at the gates is far, far too powerful for you to face at your current strength.”

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  Jack scoffed, before crossing his arms. “Don’t worry, we won’t be so foolish as to walk towards a fight we can’t win.” The tamer reassured Wan, who looked a bit unconvinced, however didn’t say anything. Instead, he moved his gaze towards Sallow. “I hope the weapon upgrades we provided to your sword will prove useful, your Excellence.”

  Sallow nodded. “I’m certain they will.”

  On his back, wrapped up in bandages was Sallow's greatsword, which while he was binding the Goblin rune, had been given to the White Clan for a reforging, to upgrade the sword and allow for it to possess greater strength than before.

  There had been a lot of preparations done over the time that Sallow spent doing the binding ritual. Wan turned his back towards Jack, Sallow and Araneida, before walking closer to the gates and placing his hands onto them. Then, he closed his eyes. The tattoos around his body shone brightly, before magical energy began to move from his body into the gates, causing the engraved pattern on the gates to slowly ignite with a white colour.

  After a bit, all the engravings on the gates were shining.

  Then—

  Click.

  The gates slowly opened, a heavy dragging echoing from them. A massive windforce came from beyond the gates — a windforce so strong that it nearly pushed Araneida away, while everyone else remained perfectly unaffected. Once the wind cleared, Wan pushed the gates further open before eventually stopping and backing up from the gates, turning to face the trio once more, as his tattoos stopped shining.

  “They’re open. You may now depart.”

  Without a second thought, Jack and Araneida moved forward, walking past Wan and through the opened gates, stepping into the dungeon ground beyond. Sallow hesitated for a second, standing in place for a moment — Though he had sworn to follow Jack anywhere, leaving the place he had called his ‘home’ for so long, suddenly felt incorrect.

  “Sallow! You coming?” Jack called out to the Goblin Overlord, pushing him out of his thoughts. Sallow exhaled and then smiled, before moving past Wan and joining Jack's side. “Apologies my Lord. I was simply thinking about the past.”

  “Heh, as long as you’re fine.” Jack turned around before throwing up his right hand to wave the other clan leaders a farewell. “Perhaps we will see one another another time!” Araneida also waved a farewell, before following after Jack. Sallow looked at the other leaders, who all gave an approving nod, before waving their farewell.

  Wan stepped a bit closer, before kneeling before Sallow one last time. “Have a safe journey, your Excellence. May the Gurr overlook you.” Sallow looked down at Wan, before nodding and turning around. “Look over them in my absence, Wan.”

  “Of course, your Excellence.” Wan lowered his head a bit lower.

  Sallow gave the other leaders one last look, before catching up with Jack, joining his side once more. Wan rose back up to his feet, watching the three individuals slowly move farther and farther away, before exhaling and turning around, walking back through the gates, before snapping his fingers. The shining within the gates disappeared and then the gates began to shut once more.

  The heavy dragging echoed through the entire dungeon, before eventually being tuned out by a loud thud, as the gates shut and then sealed themselves once more.

  Jack, Sallow and Araneida journeyed deeper and deeper into the dungeon, their guards raised at all times for a potential ambush from any of the monsters in this side of the dungeon. The air was thick – the abundance of magical energy was very noticeable, compared to the relatively tame levels located on the other side.

  It was clear that the monsters on this side would be stronger.

  And the trio didn’t have to wait long to find that out. Their path was suddenly intercepted by a large wolf creature, which towered over them. The wolf's pelt was a deep black, its eyes as red as blood and the aura surrounding it far, far more powerful than anything else they had faced before this.

  It was at the very least as strong as Wan.

  The trio immediately prepared, with Jack unsheathing his daggers while Sallow prepared his fists. “Alright, let’s get a taste of how strong the monsters down here truly are. Areneida!” Jack stated, before calling out to the spider as he leapt towards the beast.

  The spider took in a breath, before unleashing an ear piercing shriek, which was followed by a powerful force exerted from her body.

  Familiar Araneida has activated [Ultimate Intimidation].

  The giant wolf howled loudly in response, several other, smaller wolves appearing from its shadow. The smaller wolves also howled, before charging in towards Jack, who smirked, his eyes gently shining an orange colour. “I’m gonna try to not enjoy myself too much.”

  Meanwhile, in Roria.

  The Roria Castle.

  A messenger rushed through the castle halls, out of breath and panicked. Passing by the servants and caretakers within the halls, the messenger nearly tripped before pushing himself through a pair of doors, which slammed open with a loud thud. “T-There’s a report from the Patrol guards!”

  Inside the room, sat Oscar, Alicia and the King, Zect. The three individuals turned their attention to the messenger, while a guard stopped him. “Show some respect! The king is busy!”

  “Please, let him pass. I wish to hear what report the patrol has in store for me.” Zect stated, with the guard bowing towards the King, before moving out of the messenger's way. The messenger quickly walked up to the table the three individuals were sitting around, taking out a small paper. “The full report is here, S-Sire.” The messenger said, breathing heavily to try and catch his breath. Zect took the paper, unfolding it before reading its contents.

  Oscar looked at the messenger, before exhaling and pushing a cup towards him, before pouring some tea in it. “Here, catch your breath.” The messenger bowed towards Oscar. “T-Thank you, Hero Oscar.” The messenger replied, picking up the offered cup and drinking the tea inside.

  Then, Oscar's attention moved back to the King, who had a sour expression on his face. “Is everything alright my King?” Zect exhaled before folding up the paper. “Tell me messenger, is this report really true?”

  The messenger placed the cup back onto the table and took in a quick breath, before placing his arms behind his back. “Yes Sire. The patrol confirmed the information four different times.” Zects face turned serious, before he sighed. “Deliver a message to Commander Earl to fortify the city. We must ensure the safety of the citizens.”

  “Yes sire!” The messenger bowed towards the three individuals before rushing out of the room, the guards closing the door behind him. Alicia looked at Zect a bit confused. “What does the report say, Sire?”

  Oscar also looked a bit confused.

  Zect sighed heavily, resting his arms onto the table, before looking at the two Great Heroes with a cold, serious gaze. “A force of Undead has been spotted moving towards Roria from the forest nearby. They’re supposedly led by a Ghoul Lord.”

  Oscar and Alicias expressions turned shocked.

  “A Ghoul lord? Surely you jest Sire, there’s no way…” Alicia stated, however the King simply closed his eyes and turned his gaze to the window, looking out to the sky. Oscar and Alicia remained silent for a moment, before Oscar exhaled and stood up. “I shall go–”

  “No. Earl will take care of it.” Oscar looked surprised. “But Sire–”

  “Trust in your fellow hero, Oscar. It will be fine. We need you here in the capital, should any surprise attacks occur.” Oscar looked unsatisfied, however simply exhaled and sat back down, unwilling to argue with the king's word. Alicia looked out the window as well. Silence fell in the room once more.

  On the outskirts of Roria, the large group of undead Goblins moved in unison. Behind them all, a large dark figure loomed, with piercing red eyes, which shone brightly while it growled, its gaze locked onto Roria.